Fire extinguishing apparatus



Feb. 23, 1932. P. G, MacGR o 1,846,128

FIRE EXTINGUISHING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 2, 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet 1INVENTOR 53m g u n/ Feb. 23, 1932. P. G MacGREGOR FIRE EXTINGUISHINGAPPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 2, 1930 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS lHilFeb. 23, 1932. p. s. Mac REGOR FIRE EXTINGUISHING APPARATUS Filed Jan.2, 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR 2.1M 2 Z ATTORNEYS .Feb. 23, 1932STATES PATENT OFFICE PETER GRAKAH KACGREGOR, OF PEQUANNOCK, Tm; ASSIGNOB1'0 PYBENE MANUFACTURING COMPANY, 01 NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATIONOF DELA- WARE FIRE EXTIN GUISHIN G APPARATUS A Application filed January2, 1930. Serial No. 417,817.

This invention relates to fire extinguishing apparatus of the type shownin my parent application Serial No. 230,239, filed N ovember 1, 1927,with respect to which the present application is a continuation in partand from which Patent No. 1,803,859, dated May 5, 1931, has matured.

The subject matter of the present application, in so far as it is takenfrom the above application, relates to cartridge puncturing mechanism,which is actuated to release the contents of a cartridge containing anexpansible fluid, which may serve as a fire extinguishing medium thereleased fluid being directed to various parts of the motion pictureprojecting apparatus where a fire is most likely to occur and to where afire is most like 1y to spread.

The generalobject of the present invention may be sa'idfto be theproviding of a new and improved cartridge-puncturing means, for

. use in association with a fire extinguishing apparatus of thecartridge type, which will automatically function.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent fromthe following description, taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings in which Figure 1 is a fragmental side elevation of a motionpicture projecting apparatus having a cartridge puncturing mechanism anda light-obstructing device applied thereto; Figure 2 is a frontelevation of the lightobstructing shutter; Figure 3 is a plan View ofthe shutter; Figure 4 is a fragmental vertical sectional view taken online 44 of Figure 3 with the cover plate of the spring housing omittedand showing in detail a pressure actuated latch releasing device; Figure5 is a vertical sectional View of a cartridge holding and cartridgepuncturing mechanism; Figure 6 is a vertical sectional view taken onlines 6-6 of Figure 5 and showing the cartridge puncturing mechanism inelevation; Figure 7 is a horizontal sectional view taken on line 7-7 ofFigure 5; Figure 8 is an enlarged View in elevation showing the piercingend of the cartridge puncturing or piercing punch; Figure 9 is avertical sectional view of the cartridge holding and cart- Figure 14;and Figure 14 is a plan view of the flash pan shown in Figure 13.

For the purpose of illustration there is shown in Figure 1, a motionpicture apparatus 10 of the type with which the invention hereindescribed is adapted to be used. The motion picture apparatus hereinshownineludes upper and lower reel compartments 11 and 12, respectively,and an intermediate compartment 13 adapted for the rece tion of theusual film operating mechanism, t ere being arranged at the rear of theintermediate compartment 13, the usual lamp compartment 14, adapted forthe reception of a suitable source of light, not shown, from which lightrays are directed through a hood 15 on to the film as it isintermittantly moved through the intermediate compartment 13.

Upon the motion picture apparatus and adjacent the reel compartment 11is mounted a cartridge holder and cartridge puncturing mechanism 16,shown in detail in Figures 1 and 5 to 8 inclusive. This cartridge holderand puncturing mechanism includes a barrel 17, within which is confineda compression spring 18, the lower end of which engages the bottom of aremovable screw threaded cap 19, carried by the barrel 17, and the upperend of which engages an impact hammer 20 slidably mounted within thebarrel 17. Within this impact hammer 20 is slidably mounted a rod 21,the upper end of which is -provided with a flange 22 and is adapted toreceive the lower end of a cartridge-piercing punch 23,

which projects through astufling box 24 mally urged inwardly 1 andmaintained in encured to the barrel gagement with the trigger 28 at apoint ad-,

acent the outwardly projecting notched arm 31 thereof. The trigger 28,when positioned as shown in Figure 5, is adapted. to hold the impacthammer '20 in its retracted position a ainst the pressure of the spring18, and is a apted to release such hammer when a fire occurs, as willhereinafter be explained, so as to allow the hammer to deliver an impactto the flange 22, thus forcing the punch 23 upwardly and through one endof a sealed cartridge 33, which carries a quantity of compressed gas,such as carbon-dioxide, in a liquefied or semi-liquefied condition. Theupper end of the housing 25 is formed with a socket 34, having internalscrew threads adapted to engage the external screw threads of the neckor reduced end of the cartridge 33, whereby the cartridge may be easilyremoved, and 'whereby the reduced end of the cartridge may be firmlymaintained in engagement with a packing ring 35, which rests upon thebottom of the socket 34 and surrounds the upper end of thecartridge-piercin punch 23. The housing 25 is counter-bore to provide achamber 36, which is adapted to communicate with the cartridge 33, whenthe seal 37 thereof is punctured, and which is connected through anopening 39 with a pipe line 41, having nozzles '42 leading into thecompartments 11, 12

- and 13.

Within the pipe line 41 is arranged a valve 43, which is normallymaintained closed by a flash pan 44, so long as this flash pan issupported in' its position shown in Figure 1. When the flash pan ispermitted to fall under conditions, which will hereinafter more clearlyappear, the valve 43 is permitted to open.

The hammer resetting mechanism includes a yoke, 45, which is pivotallyconnected to the housing 25, as shown at 46, so that it may be swung toits dotted line position, shown in Figure 6, by an actuating lever 47.In moving the yoke 45 from its postion, shown in Figure 5, to itsposition, shown in Figure 6, a pair of hammer engaging guides 48, havinginwardly projecting lugs 49, are moved downwardly through the slots 29by reason of the connection which is afforded between the lugs 49 andthe yoke 45 by a pair of connecting links 50, the links being pivotallyconnected at their upper ends to the yoke 45 and likewise connected attheir lower ends to the nular groove 27 of the hammer to hold it in itsretracted position. Y

For temporarily locking the flash pan 44 in its supported position, afusible link 52 is emloyed, the link being supported at one end ya pm 53carried by a suitable fixed art of the apparatus and supported at its oter end upon one end of a horizontally disposed arm 54 which is pivotallyconnected'intermediate its ends to a suit le stationary support. The arm54 is plvo y connected on its outer end to a connecting hnk 55 which inturn is pivotally connected to a trigger releasing ever 56, pivotallyconnected near its upper end 'to the barrel 17 and having its upper endprojecting into the notched arm 31 of the trigger 28. Cooperating withthe fusible link 52 is a removable pin 58, carried by one side of theflash pan 44 and adapted to be projected into the space affordedintermediate the upper and lower reaches of the fusible link 52. Due tothe position of 'the pin 58 with reference to the fusible link 52, suchlink serves to retain the flash pan in its position, shown in Figure 1.However, when the link 52 is fused, as by a highly inflammable materialcarried within the flash pan 44 adence of a tension spring 59, havingone end connected to such link and its other end anchored to astationary part of the apparatus. As the link 55 is thus moved, thelever 56 is so actuated as to move the trigger 28 outwardly, therebyreleasing the impact hammer 20, whereupon the spring 18 forces suchhammer against the flange 22 of the rod 21 with sufficient force toproject the pointed end of the piercing punch 23 through the seal 37 ofthe cartridge 33. As the cartridge is pierced, its contents escapes intothe chamber 36, as a gas under pressure, from which chamber it passesinto the compartments 11, 12.and 13 through the pipe line 41 and itsassociated nozzles 42. S

If desired the cartridge holding and puncturing mechanism shown inFigures 1 and 5 to 8 inclusive may include a suitable holder 60, intowhich the screw threaded neck portion of a reserve cartridge 33" may bescrewed. The reserve cartridge 33 may be readily removed from its holder60 and inserted into the socket 34 when it is desired to recondition theapparatus for use after a conflagration has resulted in the puncturingof the cartridge 33.

In order that the opening, when formed in the diaphragm 47 by the punch23, may not be obstructed by the piercing end of the punch, suchpiercing end, although pointed, is

formed with an enlarged head portion 61, which is of a greater diameterthan the shank portion 23a of the unch. It will be appreciated that thehead portion 61 makes a relatively large opening in the diaphragm 37 andthat this openin 1s of such a size with respect to the shan portion 23aof the punch that a substantial clearance is afiorded between such shankportion and the edge of the opening made by the head 61 as it passesthrough the diaphra m, the clearance thus afforded being sufiiclent toinsure unhampered escape of the contents of the container when a fireoccurs.

In case of fire, the motor 63 employed for operating the film mechanismof the picture projecting apparatus should be instantly sto ped, and toaccomplish this, an auxiliary switch 64 is disposed in the motor circuitin addition to the main switch, not shown. This auxiliary switch 64maybe of the usual double-push-button type cooperating with suitablepressure actuated means, such as 1s shown in my above application, forautomatically opening the motor circuit upon the happenm of a fire, thepressure fluid being supplied to such pressure actuated means through apipe line 65 connected to the pipe line 41. By the use of such pressureactuated means, it will be appreciated thatas soon as the contents ofthe cartridge 33 is released, the switch 64 may be instantly actuated toopen the motor circuit, thereby stopping the operation of the pictureprojecting apparatus.

When the film actuating mechanism of the picture projecting apparatus isstopped by reason of opening the circuit of the motor 63 upon theoccurrence of a fire, it is desirable to interpose anobstruction betweenthe source of lightand the stationary film; and to this end anautomatically actuated light obstructing device 67 is provided. Thislight obstructing device includes a shutter 68, connected to an arm 69,carried by a shaft 70, journalled in the wall of a housing 71 andprojecting into such housing. Within the housing 71 is mounted a coilspring 72, one end of which is connected to the shaft and the other endof which is anchored to the inner wall of the housing, the spring beingadapted to insure movement of the shutter 68 from its position shown inFigure 4 to its position shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3 when it isreleased, either automatically or manually, as will hereinafter appear.The outer end of the arm 69 serves as a handle by which the shutter 68may be moved from its position shown in Figures 1 to 3 inclusive to itsposition shown in Figure 4, and carries a latch pin 73, which is adaptedto engage a stop 74 carried by the housing 71, the stop being adapted tolimit the closing movement of the shutter so as to insure its assuming aproper position with respect to the hood 15 for completelyobstructingthe light rays Also, the latch in 73 cooperates with a latchlever 75, where y the shutter 68 is held in its position shown in Figure4 during the operation of the motion picture projecting apparatus. Thislatch lever 75 is pivotally connected to a suitable support 76 and isprovided with a handle 77, by which the lever may be manually moved torelease the shutter, the lever being held in shutter-latching positionby a compression spring 78 interposed between one end of such lever anda. suitable stop or lug 79 associated with the housing 71. V

In order that the latch lever 75 may be automatically released when theoperation of the motion picture a paratus is automatically discontinued,as above described, there is provided a pressure actuated device 80.ThlS pressure actuated device includes a cylinder 81, having areciprocating piston or plunger 82 arranged therein, one end of which isadapted to engage a lug or button 83 carried by the lever 75 and proecting into the housing 71. The cylinder 81 is connected at one end ofthe piston 82 to a pressure pipe 85, which, in turn, is connected to thepipe line 41, so that when the cartridge 33 is unctured, pressure isdelivered to the cy inder 81, thereby causing the piston 82 to moveoutwardly into engagement with the lug 83 and release the latch 75,whereupon the shutter 68 is quickly moved by the spring 72 from itsposition shown in Figure 4 to its position shown in Fi ures 1 to 3.

The form of cartridge holding and puncturing device shown in Figures 9to 12 inclusive is substantially identical with the cartridge holdingand puncturing device shown in Figures 1 and 5 to 8 and above described,and in so far as the common structure is concerned correspondingnumerals, primed, are employed to indicate corresponding parts.

This latter form of device, however, is designed particularly for usewith a smaller cartridge 33', the reduced end of which is not screwthreaded. Due to the difference of the cartridge 33 over the cartridge33, the housing 25' is provided with a cartridge cup 90, which isscrewed into the socket 34 and is so shaped as to conform to the neckportion of the cartridge 33'. This cartridge cup also serves to hold acartridge-neckengaging washer 91 in place upon. the flange end 92 of astufiing box 93, carried by the housing 25', through whichstufiing boxthe cartridge piercing punch 23' of the device is adapted to operate. Inthis form of the invention, the cartridge 33' is held in its seatedposition by a pressure screw 94 having screw threaded engagement withthe III cross member of the yoke 45, the head of the pressure screwbeing adapted to engage the upper end of the cartridge, as shown.

It will be understood that the impact hammer 20', in this form of theinvent1on, is set or retracted by moving the yoke 45' from its position,shown in Figure 9, to its position shown in Figure 10, and that theimpact hammer is released through the operation of the release lever 56'upon the occurrence of a fire, with the result that the cartridge 33' ispunctured and its contents are rendered avail able for use either as afire extinguishing medium or as a medium by which a fire extinguishingliquid may be expelled from a suitable receptacle, not shown, to whichthe ipe line 41 may lead, as disclosed in my a ove patent. Also, it willbe understood that the auxiliary switch 64 and the shutter actuatingmeans, both of which are shown in Figure 1, may be operated by thepressure rendered available from the cartridge 33', when this form ofthe invention is employed; and that the automatic actuation of this formof cartridge holding and puncturing mechanism may be efiected throughthe same instrumentalities, namely, the flash pan 44 and itsassociatedparts, hereinbefore described in connection with the form ofcartridge holding and puncturing mechanism shown in Figures 1 and 5 to 8inclusive.

It will be understood that various changes may be made with respect tothe invention herein shown and described without departing from thespirit of the invention or the scope of the following claims:

What is claimed is:

1. Means for puncturing a cartridge containing an expansible fluid,comprising a housing adapted to receive the end of the cartridge to bepunctured, means for holding the cartridge seated within said housing, areciprocatory rod having a piercing punch adapted to be driven throughthe end of the cartridge to be punctured, an impact hammer actuatingspring surrounding said rod, an impact hammer slidable upon said rod andadapted to be set in a retracted position against the influence of saidspring and to engage a portion of said rod to drive the piercing punchthrough the end of the cartridge to be punctured, a trigger for holdingsaid hammer in its retracted position, and trigger actuating means forreleasing said trigger whereby said hammer is permitted to deliver acartridge piercing blow to drive the piercing punch through the end ofthe cartridge to be punctured.

2. Means for puncturing a cartridge containing an expansible fluid,comprising a housing, a cartridge cup, means for holding the end of thecartridge to be punctured seated within said cup, a reciprocatory rodhaving a piercing punch slidably within said housing and provided with ahammer-engaging portion, an impact hammer-actuating spring surroundingsaid rod, an impact hammer slidable upon said rod and adapted to be setin a retracted position against the influence of said spring, a triggerfor holdin said hammer in its retrac position, an

trigger actuating means for releasing said trigger whereby said hammeris permitted to deliver a cartridge piercing blow to the hammer engagingportion of said stem to force .the piercing punch through the end of thecartridge to be punctured.

3. Means for puncturing a cartridge conto engage a portion of said rodto drive the piercingpunch through the end of the cartridge to bepunctured, a trigger projecting into said barrel for engaging saidhammer and holding the same in its retracted position, andtrigger-actuating means for re ea ing said trigger whereby said hammeris permitted to deliver a cartridge piercing blow to drive the piercingpunch through the end of the cartridge to be punctured.

4. Means for puncturing a cartridge containing an expansible fluid,comprising a housing having a chamber formed therein adapted to receivethe endof the cartridge to be punctured, a cartridge cup, pressure meansfor holding said cartridge seated within said cup, a rod having a flangethereon and terminating in a piercing punch, said piercing punchprojecting into said chamber, an impact hammer-actuating springsurrounding said rod, an impact hammer slidable upon said rod andadapted to be set in a retracted position against the influence of saidspring, a trigger for holding said hammer in its retracted position, andtrigger actuating means for releasing said trigger, whereby said hammeris permitted to deliver a cartridge-piercing blow to said flange to betransmitted to said punch.

5. Means for holding and puncturing a cartridge containing an expansiblefluid, comprising a barrel, a cartridge cup adapted for the reception ofa cartridge to be punctured, a pivoted yoke connected to said barrel,releasable pressure means carried bysaid yoke for holding said cartridgein said cup, said yoke being adapted to be swung about its

